Police want to thank unknown citizen who came to cop's aid

A 49-year-old man was arrested Thursday night after witnesses said he assaulted a Boulder police officer who was asking him to stop riding his bicycle on the Pearl Street Mall.

At 8:25 p.m. Thursday, Boulder police Officer Dan Bergh saw a male identified as Douglas James Peck riding his bicycle with a friend near Pizza Colore in the 1300 block of the Pearl Street Mall, according to Boulder police spokeswoman Kim Kobel.

Bergh asked Peck to get off the bicycle, since they are not allowed on the Pearl Street Mall, to which Peck reportedly replied, "This is (expletive). This is why people hate (expletive) cops."

Kobel said Bergh noticed an odor of alcohol on Peck, and that Peck repeatedly put his hands in his pockets. Bergh told Peck to sit down, but he did not comply, and when Bergh tried to make him sit down Peck hit Bergh's hand away and shoved him in the chest.

Bergh struck Peck twice with a baton and told him to get back, but witnesses said Peck continued to walk aggressively toward the officer, according to Kobel. Bergh then sprayed Peck twice in the face with pepper spray, at which point Peck charged him and took the officer to the ground.

An unknown civilian grabbed Peck and pulled him off of Bergh. Peck yelled at the citizen and asked who he was, to which the civilian replied, "I'm the one who is helping this police officer," according to Kobel.

While Peck was yelling at the civilian, Bergh was able to subdue Peck, and other officers arrived on scene to help handcuff the suspect.

Officers found a bottle of rum and Coke with Peck, according to Kobel. Peck said he was trying to find the Thursday night cruiser ride, but wanted to stop for pizza.

Peck told officers he knew riding bicycles was prohibited on the mall, but thought Pizza Colore was close enough to the road that it was OK. He admitted trying to trip and take down the officer, and said, "after getting pepper sprayed, I wanted to get him," according to Kobel.

Officer Bergh was taken to the Boulder Community Hospital with abrasions and injuries to his knee, hip and elbow. Peck also was transported to the hospital to be treated for exposure to the pepper spray.

Peck was later taken into custody at the Boulder County Jail on suspicion of second-degree assault on a police officer, resisting arrest, obstructing a police officer, public consumption of alcohol and riding a road bicycle where prohibited.

Boulder police Chief Mark Beckner said the incident served as reminder of the danger officers face even in what appear to be routine assignments.

"It reminds all of us that you really have to be alert and aware regardless of the situation," Beckner said. "It's an example of how officers face potential danger no matter what they're doing."

Beckner said while he hasn't looked at the numbers, he says there have been a recent rash of assaults on officers.

"It is concerning," Beckner said. "Anytime an officer is assaulted, it is a serious matter, and something we take very seriously."

Thankfully, Beckner said, Bergh was back at work on Friday, though he was a little sore. Beckner also said police are trying to find the civilian who reportedly helped pull Peck off of Bergh. Officers on scene were never able to talk to the man before he left the scene, and Beckner said the department is hoping to thank him.

"If an officer is in trouble, we appreciate the help and support," Beckner said. "We'd like to say, 'Thank you.'"

Peck is scheduled for filing of charges on Tuesday. He is being held on $7,500 bond.